When back pain and chest pain appear together, it is often due to muscle tightness or inflammation that radiates into the ribcage. In some cases, the cause may be more serious than that, such as heart or lung issues, so it is important to see a medical professional who can evaluate the symptoms and determine the source of the pain.
Your upper and middle back (thoracic spine) is formed by a series of small bones called vertebrae that extend from the base of your neck to your rib cage. The ribs then wrap around the body to a long flat bone down the center of your chest known as the sternum. These muscles and bones are connected by a system of nerves, tendons, and ligaments. If one muscle becomes tight or inflamed, it can cause the tendons and ligaments that attach to other muscles to become irritated and tight. This causes the other muscles to work harder and leads to muscle imbalance, tension, stiffness, or spasms. The irritated tendons and ligaments also can cause muscle pain to radiate into the chest and back.
Sharp chest and back pain that accompanies difficulty breathing can be a sign of an infection in the lungs, called pleurisy or a heart condition, such as a heart attack. These conditions require immediate medical attention to prevent life-threatening complications.
Muscle pain can also be caused by repetitive movements from work, sports, or daily activities. For example, sitting in a chair or rowing boat for extended periods of time can strain the back muscles. Muscle pain from overuse can be relieved by rest, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and applying a towel-wrapped ice pack to the area several times throughout the day. how to relieve upper back and chest pain